Medical facts on allergies, symptoms and diseases!
Back pain
People injure their backs in all manner of ways, and often the pain is a result
of a strain rather than a dramatic accident.
Four in five adults will experience back pain. Yet, because the back is so complex,
every sufferer needs individual treatment options.
The major feature is the spine. This is a highly complex and delicate structure
which is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae.
In between each vertebra is a disc which acts as a shock absorber, and stops the
bones rubbing together.
The discs are made up of a jelly like substance, which is protected by a tough,
fibrous outer casing.
The spine is supported by specialised back muscles, and an array of ligaments,
nerves and tendons.
What causes back pain?
Most back pain is caused by strains and minor injury rather than serious injury,
and is often called 'simple back pain'. Although the pain often comes suddenly
and can be triggered by a particular movement, the causes may have been building
for some time.
As the spine is such a complex structure, it can often be difficult to pin down
the exact cause of back pain.
Probably the most common cause is when the back muscles begin to spasm.
This can often occur after strenuous activity, or can be a reaction to repetitive
strain.
The muscle is damaged, or irritated, and goes into spasm to protect the area
from further injury.
This can be extremely painful, and can lead to muscle tears if undue stress
is exerted.
Some of the commonest causes of stress and strain on the spine are:
- Slouching in chairs
- Driving in hunched positions
- Standing badly
- Lifting incorrectly
- Sleeping on sagging mattresses
- Being unfit
Other causes of back pain include arthritis, fractures and infections.
In many cases experts believe back pain is a manifestation of emotional upset,
rather than a physical problem.
More serious causes can include a prolapsed disc, or degenerative diseases of
the spine, but these are relatively rare.
Certain parts of the back are more vulnerable. The lower, or lumbar, region of
the back is particularly prone to injury.
This because it bears the entire weight of the upper body, and is twisted and
bent more than other parts.
As a result it inevitably suffers more wear and tear.
Back pain is becoming more and more a common pain.
Experts believe that a major factor is the modern tendency to lead a sedentary
lifestyle, both at work and home.
Spending long stretches of time sitting in one position, often with the back
not properly supported, is not good for the spine.
The reliance on comfy soft furnishing may seem appealing, but often it encourages
us to adopt a poor posture.
Back pain is much less common in places such as India, where many more people
are used to sitting on the floor, which is thought to allow the back muscles
to find their own natural position.
Diagnosis
It's often difficult for doctors to find the exact cause of pain caused by muscle
or ligament damage in the lumbar area. That is why it is often called non-specific
low back pain. In many cases, the pain starts a day or two after an injury occurs,
or the cause has been building up gradually over many years, which makes diagnosis
even more difficult.
What is the treatment?
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For most cases of back pain the only treatment is pain relief, often through
the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.
Physiotherapy, heat therapy, massage and hydrotherapy can help.
The spine is naturally curved into an S shape. The best way to keep it healthy
is to try to maintain this shape as much as possible.
This is particularly important when performing tasks, such as lifting, that
carry an increased risk of injury.
Strengthening the back muscles, keeping fit by taking regular exercise, and
maintaining a healthy weight can all help to minimise the risk of back pain.
It is also important to have a mattress that properly supports the body while
you are asleep.
If you do have a bad back probably the worst thing you can do is take to
your bed. Experts believe that it is best to stay as active as you possibly can.
Some lumbar and lower spinal pain is caused by patients having one leg longer
than the other.
This puts the pelvis out of alignment causing pain, which without correction
leads to long term compensatory problems such as back pain.
In this case it might be wise to consult a podiatrist who will measure the
patient's limbs and if required provide either an orthoses - an orthopedic
appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities - or arrange
to modify the patients shoe to correct the difference.
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